Heavy loss increases pressure on Truro

Truro City player-manager Lee Hodges is more determined than ever to turn the beleaguered club's fortunes around, after Saturday's 8-0 Blue Square Bet South loss at Maidenhead United.

Hodges admits: "Saturday was probably a game too far for some of the younger lads, because it's the first time they have played at this level.

"As far as I am concerned, there are much bigger issues and all my efforts are now concentrated on next Saturday's home game against Bromley and getting as big a crowd there to support us as possible. We need all the support we can get.

"We are in administration so now we have to do our utmost to turn things around for the better. I will know more about players staying as the week progresses. As for now, I am determined to stay and do all I can to get us out of the relegation zone.

"That is the challenge in front of me, the coaching staff and all of us as team, on the pitch, and we know it's a big one," Hodges added.

Basement side Truro – deducted ten points after going into administration last week – trailed 1-0 at half-time against their Saturday hosts, who started the day fourth and finished it third after claiming a fourth league win.

After opening the scoring in the 38th minute, Reece Tilson-Lascaris had claimed a hat-trick by the 57th to put Maidenhead 3-0 ahead.

Hodges – continuing to play at centre-half alongside skipper and club stalwart Jake Ash after an injury to Arran Pugh – said: "It was probably my fault for not closing him down, but he has turned quickly and smashed it in from the edge of the box. It was a good goal.

"We would have been good value if it had stayed 0-0 until half-time but they scored a couple in quick succession and near the end we just caved in."

Hodges admitted: "I had to feel for the lads, because of all the hard work they have put in so far. It was a game too far, and the last place you want to be going is somewhere like Maidenhead if you are not at full strength.

"If we had a bigger squad, then – with the injuries we've got and everything that's been going on at the club – I could have rested a couple.

"But when you are down to bare bones every week and under a transfer embargo, there's not much you can do. They have to play, and – up until the second half on Saturday – they have been amazing. Now we have to try and go that extra mile again."